First edition. Small 4to., original red cloth. London, John Murray, 1956.
Inscribed by John Betjeman to his wife with deliberate mis-spellings: “Penelope Chetwoad, with very best wishes from her husband St. Valentoîn’s day: February 14th 1957.” The correspondence between Betjeman and his wife Penelope is littered with mock offensiveness and this presentation copy is no exception, with Betjeman not only referring to her by her maiden name (they were married in July 1933), but also not mentioning that it was her birthday, as well as using the more formal greeting of ‘best wishes’. An excellent copy.
